Motorola is the natural extension of Google's Nexus plans

0.phoneArena
20 Nov 2013, 11:32posted on

Since Motorola was acquired by Google, there have been constant questions about how close the two companies would become. Google has maintained a "firewall" between the companies, and has essentially run Motorola separately. Google gives Motorola no inside tracks on software builds or Android plans, but that doesn't mean that Google doesn't have influence, and doesn't directly affect Motorola's decisions...

I kind of like Sony for making their skin lightweight but they need to get their updates faster still..

I think it also comes down to making less devices, instead of flooding the market, and focusing on maybe 5: entry, midrange, flagship, phablet, tablet. This way, the manufacturer can manage all of them to update...

Motorola promised this a while ago and it is doing it... and Sony mentioned this too but it still flooding... hopefully they learn from Google/Moto.

I used to care about updates a bunch more. Now, so much of the updates takes place outside the OS that most hardly notice when a new Android version rolls around. The new problem that Google will face is now manufactures are even LESS likely to update. Look at Samsung that still runs 4.1 on the GS3 (probably the most popular android phone). People hardly notice the difference between 4.1 & 4.4 that Samsung feels less pressure to update and doesn't mind skipping a cycle.

To me the biggest issue is competing products between Google and other manufactures such as Google Now/S Voice. Samsung almost forces S voice with hardware integration which is an issue for me because it competes with Google Now on my device. The fact that Samsung has a tun of (mostly) stupid air gestures makes no difference to me. Just turn them off and who cares. I'm fine with the add on features Samsung made on my Note 3, even though I hardly use them. But please Samsung, stop trying to compete with Google on things like voice search and PLEASE don't link your apps to my hardware buttons unless you give me the option of changing them

What I don't understand is how would them using Moto as there hardware extension bring an antitrust case? If that's the case, wouldn't Apple be subject to that as well? And MS always showed favoritism towards Nokia, giving them money instead of charging for their OS. And even more so now that they've bought Nokia's hardware division. How would that be different if Google decided to use Moto in the same way? How is it not illegal for Apple & MS, but it would be for Google?

No because look what happened with MS with that strategy. All their partners have abandoned them and now they are losing even on the desktop front. Google needs to keep moto out of the "usual" phone business. By that I mean drop the regular phones and make premium unique phones like that "phonebloks" thing or moto X style. In that way, they could keep it profitable while also having a in-house hardware playground while not angering their partners like MS did.

Because Android is the dominant player in the market, not iOS or WP. It would be seen as Google wielding power unfairly over the market.

Also, the actual logic of it doesn't really need to be all that sound. Google is already on the Justice Department's radar because of its dominance in search, and once you're the focus of one antitrust hearing, even the smallest thing can get you called back in.

While that sounds reasonable, if say android hadn't come to pass, and Apple had the lion share of the market, it would be no different other than they had never had any patners in iOS. And going by what happened to MS back in the 90s, that was them forcing manufacturers to use Internet Explorer as the default search engine. What Google is doing with Android is different. They are saying do whatever you want with Android, but if you want our services then do not fork Android beyond certain laid out guidelines.

But the thing is as far as favoritism in regards to updates, other OEMs could do the same as Moto, but they'd have to untangle their overlay from the OS and make it separate, much like a Nova or Apex launcher. Then they'd have much less work to update their hardware, assuming all of them get the rough builds at the same time. In essence, Moto had less software to update and make compatible due to their minimal/nonexistent skin. As long as other OEMs keep making their overlays more bloated and intertwined, Moto will continue to beat them on update speed. But, that is the OEM's fault, not Google's.

It isn't a matter of illegal or not, Google can use Motorola as their hardware unit all they want, the issue is their relationship with OEMs. Right now Google is keeping some separation between their hardware company (Motorola) and themselves to ensure that companies like Samsung, LG, HTC etc... don't feel as though they are at a pure disadvantage. If they felt that Google were doing things that did not allow for a fair playing field, these companies may decide to abandon Android and go other route like WP, Tizen, Firefox, Sailfish, Ubuntu, etc..

Should I get a Motorola X or a Nexus 5? I like both and am leaning towards the Nexus 5. Would a Motorola made Nexus device be any different from the Moto X? Since Google owns Moto, is there really even a desire for a Moto made Nexus device? What would the specs look like? It would definitely need a micro sd card slot for me even though the current Nexus does not have one. Just thoughts in my mind I thought I would pose.

Maybe the LG G2 would be a better fit. It's basically a better Nexus 5 (though with weird button placement). I do prefer the back of the N5 to the Glossy G2 as well and you will likely get used to the buttons in no time.

It has a more skinned version of android but a new launcher is just a free app away.

When asking for a Nexus phone, most people want one because of updates. So far LG hasn't said anything for the G2, which is ridiculous because it's a current model, it should be a no brainer. Their poor track record with updates is what made me choose a Maxx over the G2. And as far as microsd slot, I don't believe the G2 has one either.

A Moto made Nexus would basically be a Moto X, minus the Active Notifications, Touchless Controls, & Moto Assist, which I believe along with the minimal skin are the main selling points for choosing the X. Better radios and build quality would also be included in that.

As far as microsd slots, that's basically Samsung's thing. Every other OEM has gotten rid of them, except for the lone HTC One Max. Google started that on their Nexus series with the Nexus S (ironically made by Samsung) and continued through the Nexus 5 and in all of their Nexus Tablets. At this point a stock build of Android and a microsd slot will involve a Samsung phone, rooting, and a stock ROM. Sorry.

It basically comes down to this, Moto X has better battery life and more features, Nexus edges out in display and camera. I would go with the Nexus 5. I like where the Moto X is going, it's just not there yet in my opinion, especially when competing with the Nexus.

I don't know if it is just me but I am not a big Motorola fan....I have had alot of their phones and for some reason I have not been pleased with them....I could explain it but it would take too long....all I can say for right now is that since I got the Electrify M I am not much of a fan....

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